2. This week we continue our series, “Chosen Words,” by looking at Jesus words about the Holy Spirit in John14:15-31 and 15:26-16:15. Before you read these two passages of Scripture aloud, take a moment to ask God to speak to you as you read His word.

3. The word ‘Advocate’ (Greek: parakletos) appears four times (14:16, 26; 15:26; 16:7) in these two passages we are studying. The term literally means helper, advocate or intercessor. In chapter 14, what is Jesus telling His disciples – and us – about the Holy Spirit by His instruction around the term ‘Advocate’?

4. This first passage we are looking at, John 14:15-31, falls between Jesus’ repetitions of the phrase, “Do not let your hearts be troubled”(14:1, 27). How might Jesus’ teaching on the Holy Spirit address the coming troubles in which the disciples will find themselves?

5. At the end of John, chapter 15, Jesus talks about the challenges His followers will face at the hands of others (15:18-25). He follows this by talking about the Holy Spirit and His disciples testifying about Him (15:26-27). What do you think the connection is here between trouble and testifying? What does it mean that the Holy Spirit and the disciples must testify about Jesus?

6.How are you personally testifying about Jesus in your life? Can you give an example? How have you worked with the Holy Spirit in this?

7.The phrase “Spirit of truth” appears three times (14:17; 15:26; 16:13) in the passages we are studying. Consider this phrase in light of Jesus’ words in John 14:26 and 16:13. What is the Holy Spirit’s work in relation to truth? What truth is being talked about?

8. In what ways have you experienced the Holy Spirit as an advocate or spirit of truth in your life? How might you want to grow in this way?

9. What is one specific thing that God is speaking to you about life with the Holy Spirit through this study? How will that shape your life in the next week? If you are with a small group, discuss that with one another and pray for one another. If you are studying on your own, write it down and share it with someone.

[Next week we will hear from guest speaker, Pastor Oscar Muriu, of Nairobi Chapel in Kenya. The 40-day journey associated with the “Chosen Words” series will still continue through the week.]

This past weekend at Eastbrook Church, I continued our series,”Chosen Words,” by exploring Jesus’s words to His disciples about the Holy Spirit from John, chapters 14-16. The message explored 5 images of the Holy Spirit as described by Jesus.

You can view a video of the message and the accompanying outline below. You can listen to the message via our audio podcast here. You can join in with the “Chosen Words” devotional online.

Here are the discussion questions that accompany my message, “Trouble,” from this past weekend at Eastbrook Church. This continues the series, “Chosen Words,” where we will journey through John 13-17 over the next number of weeks.

Discussion Questions:

When did you face deep troubles in your life? What happened and how did you deal with?

We continue our series, “Chosen Words,” by studying John 13:18-14:4, where Jesus faces into deep troubles. Before you read those verses aloud, take a moment to ask God to speak to you as you read His word.

The first section of this passage, verses 18-30, focuses largely on Jesus’ expectation of betrayal at the hands of Juda. Judas is mentioned five times in John 13 (vss 2, 26, 27, 29 30). What do you notice about Judas from these verses?

Jesus clearly knows that someone will betray Him (vs 21), but it also appears that this is part of God’s plan (vss 18-19). How could these both possibly be true?

In the second section of this passage, verses 31-38, how would you summarize Jesus’ description of what He will face next? What do you think this means?

In verses 34 and 35, Jesus offers “a new command.” Although this may be familiar, what do you think it means practically to fulfill this command? Why do you think there is a direct connection between this command and identification of Jesus’ disciples?

Jesus confronts Simon Peter’s bold declaration with a hard truth about his upcoming failure. Why do you think Jesus said this to Peter?

When do you think it is the loving thing to do to confront someone with a hard truth?

The third section is found in 14:1-4. Here, Jesus balances words about His departure (13:31-33) with the reassuring work of God. What does Jesus promise to His followers?

How do Jesus’ words here help your perspective on the challenges of your own life or the global events unfolding around us?

What is one specific thing that God is speaking to you about life with Him through this study? How will that shape your life in the next week? If you are with a small group, discuss that with one another and pray for one another. If you are studying on your own, write it down and share it with someone.

[Next week we will study John 14:1-31; 15:26-16:15. Read it ahead of time to prepare. Join the 40-day journey associated with this series by visiting http://www.eastbrook.org/chosenwords.

What do betrayal, failure, and peace have to do with one another? In one way or another, they all relate to trouble.

We continued our series,”Chosen Words,” this past weekend at Eastbrook Church looking at the trouble of Jesus, His disciples, and in our lives. I took us into John 13:18-14:4, exploring Jesus’ encounter with Judas’ betrayal and Peter’s failure. This highlights our own need to be watchful of our temptation to betray Jesus or deny Jesus when trouble comes down upon us.

You can view a video of the message and the accompanying outline below. You can listen to the message via our audio podcast here. You can join in with the “Chosen Words” devotional online.

We began a new series entitled “Chosen Words” this weekend at Eastbrook Church. This series tracks through John, chapters 13-17, and includes a 40-day devotional journey that you do not want to miss. This week, I started us off with a look at Jesus’ powerful display of and teaching on service from John 13:1-17. As you can find out by watching the message, sometimes actions speak louder than words.

One element that I didn’t include in my outline that was really important was the three characteristics of true service we see in Jesus’ life. Those are:

Seeing things the way they really are

Stepping inside of a situation

Sacrificial love

You can view a video of the message and the accompanying outline below. You can listen to the message via our audio podcast here. You can join in with the “Chosen Words” devotional online.

Beginning this weekend at Eastbrook we kick off a new series entitled “Chosen Words.” Jesus’ teaching from the upper room and immediately afterwards, found in John 13-17, is the longest sequence of teaching in John’s gospel and unique in its intimacy in comparison with the gospels. Here, Jesus offers His followers some of the most intense teaching at what it means to be His people, speaking words that illuminate His life and ministry, as well as ours as His followers.

Along with the weekend messages, we are inviting the entire congregation of Eastbrook, as well as any others who would like to join us, on a 40-day devotional journey. You can find out how to join the Chosen Words daily devotional here.

This week we conclude our series “Free: A Study on Galatians” by looking at Galatians, chapter 6. Before you begin, pray that God would speak to you through your study of the Scripture. Next, read Galatians 6 out loud.

The first part of Galatians 6, verses 1-10, continues Paul’s train of thought begun in Galatians 5:13 about living by the Spirit. How does Paul practically instruct the Galatian believers about life in the Holy Spirit in verses 1-7?

Why do you think Paul brings together the ideas of carrying another’s burden and taking pride in ourselves in these verses?

Have you ever struggled with pride when confronted with another’s sin or difficulties? What did you do?

With verses 8-10, Paul confronts the tendency to take advantage of freedom in Christ for “acts of the flesh” (5:19). What does Paul call the believers toward in these verses?

Why do you think Paul includes phrases like “let us not become weary” or “if we do not give up” in the context of doing good deeds?

How would you describe what it practically looks like to “sow to please the Spirit” (6:8) in our lives?

In the second part of Galatians 6, verses 11-18, Paul summarizes and concludes the letter. He emphasizes –“see what large letters”(6:11) – the contrast between him and his opponents. What is that contrast and why is it important?

What would you say Paul means by his strong statement in verse 14? What does that truth mean for you in your life?

What is your biggest take-away from this study or the entire series on Galatians. If you are with a small group, discuss that with one another and pray for one another. If you are studying on your own, write it down and share it with someone this week.